Academic and Learning Support Services

Academic Advising

Academic advising is important and available to every student, including incoming students who have been accepted and paid their deposits. Each new student will meet with a professional Academic Advisor. During this meeting, students schedule their planned course work and are assigned an advisor, typically within their specific discipline. Schedules in semesters subsequent to the first semester will be completed in conjunction with the assigned academic advisor. Each student's relationship with his or her academic advisor is important, and it is the student's responsibility to meet with the advisor. Through discussion with an academic advisor and the use of services provided by the Offices of Academic Advising and Career Services, a student is better able to: clarify academic, life, and career goals; understand the nature and purpose of higher education; gain information about educational options, requirements, policies and procedures; plan a program of study consistent with interests and abilities; select and schedule appropriate courses; and understand College resources that might provide assistance for academic success.

Educational Enrichment

The Educational Enrichment department offers developmental courses in study strategies, reading, English, and mathematics. These courses are designed to assist students in strengthening skills to repare them for college-level work. Students are placed in Educational Enrichment (EE) courses based on SAT and ACT scores. While students can earn institutional credits by successfully completing ducational Enrichment courses, these credits are not counted toward graduation requirements.
The ollege will place incoming, first-year students in Educational Enrichment courses based on their SAT and/or ACT scores. A student may take the College Placement Test if he/she believes their skills have been under assessed by these national exams. Any incoming, non-traditional student without prior college work and no SAT/ACT scores will be required to complete the College Placement Test and complete EE courses as appropriate and according to current guidelines. While all transfer student records are reviewed individually, the following guidelines for transfer students will be used:

1. Students with an Associate or Bachelor Degree:
   Students who apply to Mount Aloysius College and who possess either an associate or bachelor degree earned at a regionally-accredited institution will normally not be required to take EE courses. (In some majors with a heavier mathematics requirement, students may need to take an EE mathematics course.)
2. Students with Transfer Credits:
   Transfer students who have completed at least 24 credits at a regionallyaccredited institution and have earned a minimum 2.5 grade point average will normally not be required to take EE courses in reading and writing.
   
   Transfer students will not be required to take EE writing courses if they transfer to the College the equivalent of EN 110 and/or EN 111.
   
   Transfer students will not be required to take EE mathematics/algebra courses if they transfer to the College the equivalent of a college mathematics course.

Students are highly encouraged to complete their Educational Enrichment (EE) coursework prior to taking courses in their major. Students should complete EE courses by the conclusion of their second semester. Mathematics and/or algebra requirements may be postponed until the semester prior to scheduling a college mathematics requirement. It is recommended that this be done early in the program of study, and the plan of study should be reviewed by the Academic Advisor. Completion of EE course requirements in the immediately preceding summer will usually allow the students to complete any potential course requirements necessary to declare a major within a timely fashion.
Mount Aloysius College offers a peer and professional tutoring program to all students.  Professional tutors are available in both the Nursing Division and the Health Studies and Sciences Division.  Additionally , Mount Aloysius College offers peer tutoring for a number of courses offered on campus.  It is important for students to seek academic assistance early in the semester to encourage a better chance for academic success.

Mount Aloysius Academic Preparation Program (MAAPP)

MAAPP is a conditional admission program. During the week prior to Fall semester classes beginning, MAAPP students participate in a residential program aimed at easing the transition from high school to college, thereby increasing a student's chance for academic success. Students engage in college-level reading and writing seminars to help formulate accurate academic expectations for college success. Additionally, students are introduced to campus technology and opportunities to build connections with other students, staff, and faculty. Students in the program must complete the program successfully to receive permission tomatriculate into the fall semester. During the year students will be full-time students and take some courses together, attend group meetings and will meet their advisors often. Once students are accepted for college matriculation, students work closely with the MAAPP coordinator. Admission into the program is based upon criteria set by the College.

Undecided/Exploratory Advising

Students who are exploring bachelor degree programs at Mount Aloysius College may choose to begin in Undecided/Exploratory Studies. All students in Undecided/Exploratory Studies will complete CP 101, Career Planning Seminar, within their first year of study. Students will schedule classes to meet the College's Core requirements and meet regularly with their advisors. Students are encouraged to declare a major by the end of the first year and not later than their fourth semester of full-time college enrollment.

College Catalog

This Catalog is the official record of College policies. Mount Aloysius College reserves the right to make essential policy changes at any time. It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the policies and programs of the College and to keep informed of changes in policy and academic requirements. Questions on academic policy and requirements should be addressed to the Registrar.

Degree: Associate - Second Associate

After completion of all requirements for an associate degree, graduates may choose to pursue a second associate degree in another field. The general core requirement credits earned during completion of the first associate degree may be applied toward the second associate degree. A maximum of six (6) major credits earned in the first degree program may be applied as general electives in the second degree program. A minimum of fifteen (15) additional unduplicated credits beyond the first associate degree must be earned by course work completed at Mount Aloysius as part of the requirements for the second associate degree. Students pursuing a second associate degree in another field of study should contact the Office of Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions.

Degree: Bachelor

Mount Aloysius College provides students the opportunity to earn a bachelor degree in the traditional freshman through senior level fashion. The College also provides those graduates of regionally-accredited associate degree programs or diploma programs from approved schools of nursing the opportunity to complete their bachelor degrees. Bachelor degrees at Mount Aloysius may be obtained by: (1) enrolling as a freshman in a baccalaureate program of study, (2) building on diplomas earned at approved schools of nursing, or (3) building on associate degrees earned at Mount Aloysius or regionally-accredited colleges.

Degree: Bachelor - Double Major

Students at Mount Aloysius College may complete a double major in bachelor degree programs. Students should select their second major no later than the end of their first year of study in a four-year program. They will be required to complete all requirements of both majors and meet all College-wide core requirements. Students should be advised that this might take longer than eight (8) semesters and will limit the number of electives. Students must review their intent to double major with the Registrar and will be required to submit a form declaring a double major.

Degree: Second Bachelor

A student who has earned one bachelor degree at Mount Aloysius and wishes to pursue a second bachelor degree at Mount Aloysius must complete a minimum of thirty (30) unduplicated credits earned at Mount Aloysius and fulfill all graduation requirements of the College. Students pursuing a second bachelor degree in another field of study should contact the Office of Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are as follows:
(1) The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the day Mount Aloysius College receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Registrar, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the Registrar’s Office, the Registrar shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed. Educational records are defined as those records related to a student and maintained by the institution or a party acting for the institution. The term “education records” does not include the following:

• records of instructional, supervisory, administrative, and certain educational personnel which are in the sole possession of the maker thereof, and are not accessible or revealed to any other individual except a substitute who performs on a temporary basis the duties of the individual who made the records.
• records maintained by a law enforcement unit of the college that were created by that law enforcement unit for the purpose of law enforcement.
• records relating to the individuals who are employed by the college, which are made and maintained in the normal course of business, relate exclusively to individuals in their capacity as employees, and are not available for use for any other purpose.
• records relating to a student which are (a) created or maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, or other recognized professional or paraprofessional, acting in his/her professional capacity or assisting in a paraprofessional capacity; (b) used solely in connection with the provision of treatment to the student; and not disclosed to anyone other than individuals providing such treatment, so long as the records can be personally reviewed by a physician or other appropriate professional of the student’s choice. “Treatment” in this context does not include remedial educational activities or activities which are part of the program of instruction at the college.
• records of the college which contain only information relating to a person after that person is no longer a student at the institution.

(2) The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask Mount Aloysius College to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the Mount Aloysius College official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If Mount Aloysius College decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, it will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when he or she is notified of the right to a hearing.
(3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. Aschool official is a person employed by Mount Aloysius College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom Mount Aloysius College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
(4) The right to request that Mount Aloysius College not release directory information including student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, dates of attendance, degrees, and honors. Requests to withhold directory information should be made in writing to the Registrar within two weeks of the beginning of the semester.
(5) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Mount Aloysius College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPAare: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20202-4605

Directory Information

The law provides students the right to expect that information in their educational records will be kept
confidential, disclosed only with their permission or under provisions of the law. One such provision allows the release of “Directory Information” without the student’s permission. Directory information is a type of information that generally would not be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released.
At Mount Aloysius College, directory information includes name, address, telephone listing, e-mail address, photographs, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, enrollment status, participation in officially recognized activities, degrees, honors, awards, most recent educational institution attended and weight and height for athletes.
This information that the College has identified as directory information and that it routinely releases without a student’s explicit permission can also be made confidential at a student’s request. For students to do so, they must place their request in writing at the Registrar’s Office. Additionally, the College can refuse to release such information if a request seems improper, e.g., for commercial exploitation.

Foundation Course and Capstone Seminar – Mount Aloysius College

The Mount Aloysius College Foundation Course and Capstone Seminar provide Mount Aloysius College students with the opportunities to experience interdisciplinary instruction and to explore and reflect upon the implicit and explicit values of self and the contemporary world.
Our Cultural Literacy: A Seminar in Learning, Service, and the Mercy Tradition (CLS) course is designed for all students. It is a required course for all students. A student who has:

1. completed fewer than twenty-four (24) college credits prior to enrollment at Mount Aloysius College must take CLS 101.
2. completed more than twenty-four (24) college credits and is a transfer student, must take CLS 102.
3. failed CLS 101, must repeat CLS 101 during the next semester.

This course is designed to integrate freshmen into our community of thinkers and learners and to provide Mount Aloysius students with a common academic experience. Within a highly interactive learning environment, the course challenges students to examine their convictions and to open themselves to the convictions of their peers. The interdisciplinary approach offers a broad array of readings and includes six convocations, activities that may feature nationally recognized speakers, visiting major cities of national interest, as well as participating in campus-wide activities.
The Capstone Seminar is required for all students seeking a baccalaureate degree and provides the opportunity for students to demonstrate their abilities to integrate and synthesize scientific, behavioral, social, historical, cultural, ethical and moral concepts. Students are asked to draw from their college experience, demonstrating an in-depth understanding of a discipline and the ability to complete a research project.
Together the Mount Aloysius College Foundation Course and the Capstone Seminar will foster the continuous exercise of students’ critical thinking over the years of their connection with Mount Aloysius College and throughout their lives.

Honors Program

The Mount Aloysius College Honors Program is designed for students of all academic disciplines who enjoy critical and synthetic thinking and problem solving within an environment of highly interactive learning. The goal of the Honors Program is to create a community of scholars desiring to enhance each other's understanding of human living within our world.
Admission into the Honors Program is dependent upon acceptance into Mount Aloysius College. Entry to the Mount Aloysius College Honors Program will be based initially upon the student's minimum combined SAT score of 1050 (25 ACT score) or a combined SAT score of 1000 (23 ACT score) and a high school QPA of at least 3.6. These students will be placed into the Mount Aloysius College Foundation Course: Honors Section. Students with high school QPAs of 3.6 or above may request and complete the Student Application Form for Mount Aloysius College Honors Program and his/her candidacy will be considered by an Honors Committee. An interview with the Honors Program Director is not required but is highly recommended.
Freshman students who have successfully completed one semester of study at Mount Aloysius College may be recommended to participate in the Honors Program through the Faculty Recommendation for Mount Aloysius College Honors Program Form. These students will be notified of their recommendation and will be invited to complete the Student Application Form for Mount Aloysius College Honors Program. The application will be reviewed by the Honors Program Director and students will be notified concerning their acceptance prior to spring registration.
Students who meet the admissions criteria but are not participants in the Honors Program may select to take honors courses; these courses will be designated as honors on the students' transcripts. Honors courses provide an in-depth, creative investigation of subject matter in a seminar format. The Honors courses, to date, include:

Freshman Year: Cultural Literacy Seminar: Honors (3 credits)
Rhetoric II: Honors (3 credits)

Sophomore Year: The Self and Beyond: Psychology/Spirituality: Honors (6 credits)
History: HS 202 or HS 220 or HS 310: Honors (3 credits)

Junior Year: Human Search for Meaning: The Epic Quest: Honors (3 credits)

Program Requirements: Students in the Honors Program must meet the following requirements:

• Maintain an overall 3.25 GPA. Astudent falling below the 3.25 GPAwill be placed on one (1) semester of Honors Program probation during which he/she may attempt to raise the GPAin order to remain in good standing.
• Attend the required convocations. Freshman honors students will attend required convocations as specified in the Cultural Literacy Seminar. Following the first semester, generally one (1) convocation each semester is required, with additional convocation opportunities offered. Convocations have included trips to theatre productions, visits to national historic sites and to art and history museums as well as various religious communities. Students should plan to attend on-campus events sponsored by the Honors Program during their years at the College.
• Successfully complete a minimum of twelve (12) credits of honors work (or nine credits of honors work and an Honors Thesis) and attend four honors-designated convocations with appropriate written work in order to graduate with Honors Program status in the associate degree program.
• Successfully complete a minimum of sixteen (16) credits of honors work (or thirteen credits of honors work and an Honors Thesis) and attend eight honors-designated convocations with appropriate written work to graduate with Honors Program status in the bachelors degree program.
  

National Membership

Mount Aloysius College is a member of the National Collegiate Honors Council. The main objective of this Council is the promotion and advancement of honors and similar educational programs in American colleges and universities.

Perkins Support Services (Associate Degree – Diploma Programs)

Perkins Support Services are designed to provide support and educational enrichment to those enrolled in an Associate or Diploma Degree program of study. The services are funded by a federal grant administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Emphasis is placed on career development and academic preparation to assist students during their time of enrollment and beyond in achieving success to obtain opportunities in a demanding and emerging workforce. Perkins staff works closely with various departments providing academic, vocational, and financial services to meet the needs of the students.

Vox Nova

Vox Nova is the “new voice” at Mount Aloysius College. Vox Nova is not a music major but, rather, is a performance-based opportunity for students who wish to continue their vocal success while pursuing another field of study.
Vox Nova, a selected mixed vocal ensemble and keyboard accompanist, performs repertoire from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. There are opportunities as well for more individualized performance in duets, trios, madrigals, and the like from these two time periods. The ensemble performs its own series of concerts at the College, special events on campus, and guest appearances in the area and throughout the state. In addition, Vox Nova performers showcase and share their talents with high school choral singers in workshops developed for the educational purpose of exposing young students to noteworthy music performed by singers of outstanding quality.
You must be accepted into the College and your program of study in order to be accepted and participate in the ensemble. All students applying to the Vox Nova program must successfully complete an audition which you must schedule with the music director in advance. You will be tested for aural and general music skills and be asked to sing two solo vocal works of contrasting style and time period. You must schedule an on-site audition with the music director by contacting her at (814) 886-6495. If you are unable to complete an on-campus audition, you may submit either an audio (cassette) or video tape of quality sound and clarity containing your two vocal selections. An information sheet, sent with your application materials, concerning your taped audition must accompany the tape when submitted. Any final acceptance into Vox Nova will be contingent upon a final on campus re-audition.
Vox Nova student performers in a bachelor degree program may choose to complete a choral performance minor. A student enrolled in the minor must be a member of Vox Nova for six semesters at two credits each semester. The remaining credits may be made up through any of the music courses offered at Mount Aloysius. This course of study is available to Vox Nova participants only. Please contact the music director with any questions regarding this program. For Vox Nova students not pursuing a choral performance minor, credits earned in Vox Nova may be applied to their program of study in lieu of humanities/social science electives. This substitution will be made only at the discretion of the student’s academic advisor.